Industry News
Chemical Industry News
Chile’s manufacturing output falls in September, overall activity flat
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Chile’s manufacturing output fell in September by 1.1%, month on month, the central bank’s monthly report about economic activity said this week. Year on year, Chile’s...
US trade deficit jumps 19.2% in September as imports rise, exports fall
HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US goods and services deficit rose 19.2% from $70.8 billion in August to $84.4 billion in September, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Tuesday. September exports were...
Plant status: Westlake moves US Lake Charles cracker turnaround to late January
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Westlake Chemical Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana, US Product: Ethylene, propylene Capacity (tonnes/year): 660,000 (ethylene); 36,000...
Plant status: US LACC cracker operating well after unexpected Q3 outage
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: LACC, joint venture between Lotte Chemical and Westlake Chemical Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana, US Product: Ethylene Capacity (tonnes/year):...
Sharp auto decline drives massive Celanese earnings and outlook shortfalls; Acetyls plants idled
NEW YORK (ICIS)--A rapid decline in the automotive market, along with weak industrial demand - particularly in Europe - led to a major earnings shortfall for Celanese in Q3. Continued weakness and...
US services sector expands for fourth month
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Economic activity in the US services sector expanded for the fourth consecutive month in October, with the pace of the expansion accelerating from September, the Institute for Supply...
As Boeing strike ends, US chems split on effects
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US chemical producers split on the effects of the recently ended strike against aircraft producer Boeing, with a coatings company seeing no effect and an epoxy resin producer noting a...
US Huntsman expects MDI recovery in 2025 in US, Asia but Europe woes increasing – CEO
SAO PAULO (ICIS)--Huntsman expects to see marked improvements in North America’s housing market in 2025, propping up demand for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), one of its main products, the...
Polyplex’s $100 million US PET film expansion project in Alabama to start up in Q1 2025
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US polyester film producer Polyplex expects the expansion project at its Decatur, Alabama, production facility to start up in the first quarter of 2025, according to market...
MARGINS: Europe PE margins up on lower feedstock costs, higher product pricing
LONDON (ICIS)--Margins at polyethylene (PE) plants in Europe increased week on week due to softer feedstock costs and higher product pricing, ICIS Margin Analysis showed on Tuesday. In the week to 1...
Germany chemical industry sentiment improves, electricity relief to help producers
LONDON (ICIS)--The business climate in Germany’s chemical industry improved in October, led by better business expectations, Munich-based research group ifo said on Tuesday. The group’s climate...
Plant status: Westlake BPA/epoxy Pernis turnaround extended – sources
LONDON (ICIS)--Here is a plant status report: Name: Westlake Location: Pernis, the Netherlands Product: Bisphenol A (BPA), epoxy resins Capacity (tonnes/year): 120,000 (BPA), 100,000 (epoxy resins)...
Chile ammonia imports down by 6% in January-September year on year
LONDON (ICIS)--Imports of ammonia into Chile dropped by 6% in January-September 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to customs data. Most of Chile’s ammonia imports came from...
Canada West Coast port strike puts chemical shipments at risk
TORONTO (ICIS)--The strike at Vancouver and other Canadian West Coast ports is putting millions of dollars of chemicals and plastics trade at risk, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC)...
MARGINS: Europe naphtha-based MEG margins up, LPG-based contract margins decline
LONDON (ICIS)--Margins at monoethylene glycol (MEG) plants based on naphtha in Europe rose week on week while operators using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) posted a decline, ICIS Margin Analysis...
Propane and butane prices in Europe diverge into November
LONDON (ICIS)--Spot prices in Europe for propane and butane saw mixed performance into the start of the month as traders revaluated end-user appetite for the feedstocks. Sentiment in general remains...
Soft price signals to limit LNG deliveries to Greek terminals
Limited LNG set to arrive at Alexandroupolis over 2024/2025 Balkan Gas Hub discount discourages Greek LNG imports New terminal to support CEE energy diversification LONDON (ICIS)--Greece’s new...
US ethylene October contract price declines on lower spot values
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US October ethylene contract prices settled down from the previous month on lower spot prices. The October contract price settled at 31.25 cents/lb ($689/tonne), down 3.0 cents/lb...
British import expectations may support higher NBP-TTF premium
Traders expect NBP winter months to rise Pipeline imports and LNG seen as necessary for winter supply Current sources of supply offer little flexibility without price rises Traders believe that a...
Significant changes needed to decarbonize UK power system by 2030
NESO report concludes that the UK can decarbonize the power system by 2030, but significant changes are needed Market reform is needed as uncertainty around future market arrangements and investment...